Macdonald Khandalawo

“After the rains have stopped, we look for the grass around here but due to the change in climate there has been scarcity of grass. That is why we send these boys to those rivers,”

Macdonald Khandalawo · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01

Khandalawo, who keeps 10 cattle in Nsanjama, said climate change has caused grass scarcity, prompting him to send young men to distant rivers to collect fodder.

“Because of that, the water is drying up faster and grass is scarce.”

Macdonald Khandalawo · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01

Khandalawo linked riverbank cultivation to faster-drying water and scarce grass.

“If possible, we want it to be like before where people were not allowed to cultivate beyond some metres in the riverbanks. Most of our rivers have no vegetation,”

Macdonald Khandalawo · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01

Khandalawo called for restrictions on riverbank cultivation to be restored, noting that most rivers now lack vegetation.

“It’s a long distance and sometimes they take the whole day.”

Macdonald Khandalawo · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01

Khandalawo described the long distances his fodder gatherers travel, sometimes taking the whole day.

“Our complaint is that people are cultivating even in riverbanks. Previously, you would find plenty of reeds, plenty of grass, but now you can’t find it because some of our friends who grow vegetables are cultivating even where the water is,”

Macdonald Khandalawo · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-01

Khandalawo complained that vegetable cultivation along riverbanks has destroyed reeds and grass that were previously abundant.